Linton Kwesi Johnson. Sonny's Lettah (anti sus law poem).

Brixton Prison, Jeb Avenue, London SW2, Inglan

Dear mama
good day
I hope that when these
few lines reach you they may
find you in the best of health
I really doun know how to tell ya dis
for I did mek a solemn promise
to tek care a lickle Jim
an try mi bes fi look out fi him

mama, I really did try mi bes
but none a di less
sorry fi tell ya seh, poor lickle Jim get arress
it was de miggle a di rush hour
hevrybody jus a hustle and a bustle
fi go home fi dem evenin shower
mi an Jim stan up waitin pon a bus
not causin no fuss
when all of a sudden a police van pull up
out jump t'ree policeman
de whole a dem carryin baton
dem walk straight up to me and Jim
one a dem hold on to Jim
seh dem tekin him in
Jim tell him fi leggo a him
for him nah do nutt'n
and 'im nah t'ief, not even a but'n
Well, Jim start fi wriggle
de police start fi giggle

mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to Jim?
mama, mek I tell you wa dem do to 'im?

Dem thump him him in him belly and it turn to jelly
Dem lick 'im pon 'im back and 'im rib get pop
Dem thump him pon him head but it tough like lead
Dem kick 'im in 'im seed and it started to bleed

Mama, I jus couldn't stan up deh, an nah do nuttin'

So mi jook one in him eye and him started fi cry
me thump him pon him mout and him started fi shout
me kick him pon him shin an him started fi spin
me hit him pon him chin an him drop pon a bin
an crash, an dead

Mama, more policman come down
an beat me to the groun
dem charge Jim fi sus
dem charge me fi murdah

Mama, doun fret
doun get depress an downhearted
be of good courage

til i hear from you
i remain your son
Sonny